Gloating

Gloating at the bridge table is strictly verboten. It is considered rude and gauche--a horrendous act punishable by frowns and reprimands. Of course those frowning and reprimanding are often the ones doing the most gloating. One time after my partner and I had left one table and were approaching the next, I quietly commented "Good job on that last board." The opponent sitting North--whom we hadn't even played against yet--looked at me sternly and admonished, "No gloating." Two boards later I was able to echo his comment when he grinned at his partner and went into great detail about his brilliant play against us.

That said, I do believe there is a place and time for gloating. The place, of course, is away from the bridge table and at an entirely different location (such as a bar). The time is when a C player with less than 50 masterpoints gets a top board against an A player with thousands of masterpoints. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it is a beautiful thing (for the C players, of course).

Just the other day a relatively new player called me on the phone to gloat. She described the cards, the bidding, and the play of a particular board against two of the club's top players. She related the expressions of these opponents as they struggled to make a contract they shouldn't have been in and the cross words between them when they went down. "Of course I had to keep a straight face," she said, "But I had to tell someone what happened!" An interesting side note here is that C players--at least the C players I know, including myself--have a difficult time remembering hands unless they have been successfully played against A players.

I confess that after a game I check to see how we did against the A players. When we get a top board, or even an above average board, I point this out to my partner with a smile. First, this encouraging score might indicate that our bridge careers are on the right track. Second, it shows that even really good players sometimes make mistakes.

A Highly Unusual 2NT

Our first game back from the Nationals did not showcase the experience and knowledge we gained on that trip. Here's an example of what happened this week on Thursday afternoon.

My RHO opened 1H. With a balanced hand and 20 high card points, I had been ready to open 2NT. Now what? Well, why not overcall 2NT, I thought. That will tell my partner exactly what I have. So I did. My LHO passed, my partner responded 3 clubs and RHO passed. Hmm, I thought. My clubs are pretty good; maybe I should go for it. Then a buzzer went off in my brain--she's not bidding clubs, that's Stayman! Whew, missed that bullet, I thought, and bid 3 diamonds to show that I did not have a 4 card major. Everyone passed, including my partner.

What?!?

"What does her 2NT bid mean?" one of the opponents asked my partner before the play began.

"It means she has both of the minors" Julie confidently replied. She told me later that she was quite proud of herself for remembering this bid, since we've talked about it a lot but had never actually used it. However, she did wonder why I bid diamonds over her clubs, since she clearly told me that her clubs were better.

"Oh yes, the unusual 2NT. That's a very useful bid," the opponent commented.

I kept a straight face while I looked at the two little diamonds in my hand and an even straighter face when dummy came down with its pitiful diamonds. You can figure out the rest of the story for yourself.

The good news is that we did much better the next day, when I actually did put into practice some of the things I learned last week.

Got Lucky in Kentucky: Back Home

Looking back at our first national tournament...

The Drive was not bad at all; in fact, time flew by. Julie and I talked the entire way there and back, developing (temporary) sore throats. It would have taken us about 6 hours each way if we hadn't stopped for James Dean and food. Upon arrival we self-parked the car in the hotel parking ramp, which was reasonably priced, and each wrote down 2B so we would be able to find the car again. Upon departure, we confidently took the parking garage elevator down to Level II and stepped out only to find that the entire floor was flooded and empty of cars! "They couldn't have moved my car," Julie mused, "They don't have the key." After a short discussion, we returned to the elevator and this time noted a level that was labeled "hotel parking." This was Level I, and we found the car patiently waiting for us in section 2B.

The People were a mixed bag of interesting, fun conversationalists and weirdos. Most were there with friends from their local bridge clubs, and we were sad that our bridge club buddies wouldn't be arriving until after we were gone. At the same time, I was surprised at the number of people who came alone and found partners at the partnership desk. The directors were incredibly effecient and patient. Our favorite quote comes from a woman who quickly became our favorite tournament director. We were playing in the 49ers group, and most of the players did not seem to know how to put together the computer dealt hands. In contrast, our table had completed the task in record time. The director passed by our table and said, "You girls are fast; at least that's what it says in the men's bathroom."

The City has the Ohio River flowing through it, which was flooding and expected to crest the weekend we were there. The hotel was located by the river, but we could only go a short way along the scenic river walk before the encroaching water stopped us. We did walk around the area and found a charming local cafe where we had lunch. We passed by the Louisville Slugger factory and outlet store, the science museum, the Muhammed Ali Center, and a very cool chandelier hanging from a streetlight. However, the most interesting sights appeared later that evening outside the conference center next to our hotel. I can't even describe some of the outfits worn by the girls on way their to the Lady Ga Ga concert!

The Lectures, as I noted in earlier blog entries, were incredibly interesting and helpful. For example, Jerry Helms inspired us to jump to game bids and to subsequently quote to each other "the one who knows, goes." At the talk by Audrey Grant, we were also introduced to her husband, international player Dave Lindop, who worked the technology for her but also shared his insights. Later that evening, as we were searching for an evening reception, I suddenly heard Julie call out "Hey Dave!" You guessed it, she had spotted Dave Lindop across the hall. "Where's the party?" she asked, and then went on to mention we had met him at his wife's lecture. He smiled and graciously directed us, adding that there was live music and pizza.

Of course Playing Bridge was the focus of the conference. We played bridge 7 hours a day for three days, plus attended lectures and talked talked talked about it. It was great!

GLIK Day 4: SUCCESS!!!

Yes, we have finally placed. Julie agreed to give the 299ers group a try, since the 49ers were giving me a headache. It was like coming home. People were able to make the computer generated hands, were quieter, played at a normal pace, and did things like support their partner's spade opening with 3 card trump support and points.

Here's one hand that we bid and played. Julie opened one diamond; I had 18 high card points and 6 spades, so I bid 2 spades, indicating my points with a jump shift. Julie replied with 3 clubs. Now I had a dilemma: how could I show her my 6 spades while also forcing her to continue bidding? I abandoned the 6 spades notion and decided to force the slam issue with 4 NT. We play 1430, and because this does not come up very often it usually entails a lot of thinking. I watched while Julie frowned and pondered her next bid. The tension built while we all waited. Suddenly Julie slapped down the 6 spades card and said, "I decided to just go for it." Later she confessed, "I knew we were going to slam, but I couldn't remember what to bid so I just hoped spades was the right place to be." It turned out she had 2 spades and I made 7.

Later in the evening we decided to go to the 25th floor to the Rivue Restaurant for drinks. We couldn't remember which tower it was in, so we checked a map that was posted on the wall. I noted that it was in the Rivue Tower; Julie noted that the fact we couldn't make that logical connection was an indication of why we are not A players. Sigh.

GLIK Day 4: Things We've Learned

1. We learned that when your partner opens 1 club, 50% of the time they have five of them.
2. We learned that if the opponents have a 2 level fit in a minor, we probably also have a fit and should bid to find out where.
3. We learned a lot about balancing from Audrey Grant.
4. We learned several strategies of play from Jerry Helms.
5. We learned that you don't have to have perfect shape to make a take-out double, that it's okay to have 3 of a major when you double the other major.
6. We learned that a lot of bridge players with less than 50 points act as though they are playing party bridge; they are very loud.
7. We learned that a lot of strange people play bridge--on second thought, we already knew that.

It is now time for our first game of the day; stay tuned for results and comments!

GLIK Day 3: The Busiest Day

Day Three in Kentucky was the busiest to date. It found us playing bridge, going to lectures, drinking with hotel staff, spilling hot coffee, watching fish, schmoozing directors, chatting with the local meteorologist, meeting international bridge experts, and more. First, and most importantly, our game is steadily improving. This morning our score was in the 40s and our afternoon game was just over 50%. Although we didn't place, as you can see in the picture we have plenty of trophies.

The day was too eventful to report in full, but it is always interesting to think about using new bids. Recently Julie has convinced me to add Jacoby 3 NT to our repertoire. Our Director told her about this bid: It means that the responder has opening count and 3 card trump support for the opener. Julie convincingly explained the benefits of this bid, and I agreed to start using it. This afternoon I had the chance. Julie opened 1 spade; I had 3 spades and 14 points, so I bid 3 NT. Julie considered the bid for just a moment before she passed, as did our opponents. I watched her face as I waited for the realization of what she had done hit her--it was something to behold. As she casually put her bidding cards back in the box, she suddenly froze. Her eyes widened and she slowly turned her head to look at me. A questioning look was quickly followed by realization, shock, and resignation. I just sat there silently and waited for the dummy to come down. I ended up making 5 NT and got a top board.

I tell this story because I think it is indicative of what is happening to us at this tournament. Our opponents in the 49er games are making a lot of missteps that often pan out for them. I really think that we might do better in a bigger game, so we are going to try that tomorrow.

In closing, here's a video of our very cool hotel bar.

GLIK Day 2 continued

I am relieved to report that our evening game was much improved over our afternoon game. However, we did not win the coveted plexiglass trophy or get our picture taken with aforementioned trophy. I told Julie that I will no longer be putting our pictures up on this blog until that occurs. Julie suggested that we casually stroll behind the winners as the flash bulb goes off; she says that people will think that "sometimes they stack winners and just because we're not in the front row doesn't mean we didn't win." So look carefully at the photos in the next Bridge Bulletin.

Following are some Louisville comments:

"She does not respect the game. Because she is loud."

"Regular girls dance on those poles."

"Your director came to Kalamazoo and got stuck in a snowstorm."

"Do you get flooding in Michigan?"

"This isn't a really funny crowd."

That's it for now, time to finish the wine and go to bed so we can get up early to hear Jerry Helms speak. We hope he'll be worth the loss of sleep, since really we should be conserving our energy for THE GAME.

GLIK Day 2: Julie's Perspective

Well we just finished the first session at Nationals. . .Based on our performance, we are considering a change of strategies. First, no more reading our press clippings (between sessions); second, putting aside the advice of our fellows/gals in GR; third, fighting to get into the 0 to 5 master point group. Yowser, we got totally smoked in Round 1.

So we did what any well-adjusted, middle + aged duo would do. We went out for Mexican food, loading up on carbs, and then we each bought our own special bottle of wine at CVS and planned our post-Session 2 party.

Backing up for a moment, we went out for breakfast at Einstein's Bagel eatery. I don't get it, but another stop and another TV station blaring out the 700 Club, Pat Robertson and Co. We aren't in Kansas any more, Toto. Keeping opinions to ourselves. That is pretty easy for me, but Margaret is struggling a bit as you might expect for those of you who know us both.

Get Lucky in Kentucky, Day 1: The Journey Continues

On the recommendation of a friend, we interrupted our otherwise uneventful drive to Kentucky with a stop in Fairmount. Did you know that this small town is home to not only the James Dean Museum, but also Snoopy? We did not. Here you see a picture of Julie on the front porch of the museum--she's the one on the right.

Before we arrived at the museum, we stopped for lunch at The Outpost. It was immediately clear that we were in "God's Country," not only because the sign above the door told us so, but also because the TV in the corner was tuned to Pat Robertson. We quietly enjoyed the home cooked food. It was really very good.

After lunch, we found our way to the James Dean Museum. Julie, one step ahead of me, opened the door in great anticipation. She took a half step in, quickly turned, looked at me in horror and shouted "OH *#%@&" as she slammed the door shut. I imagined we had walked into some kind of unspeakable activity; I couldn't wait to see what it was. Alas, it was merely an excitable puppy that had charged the door. How was this overgrown doberman to know that Julie was terrified of dogs? The owners quickly took control and the remainder of our museum visit proceeded uneventfully. We skipped the trip to the gravesite, however, since we were anxious to get back on the road.

We are now safely in Louisville, in a wonderful hotel with good restaurants, bars that have live birds and fish, rooms with views of the river and the city below, and . . . tomorrow. . . BRIDGE!

Get Lucky in Kentucky, Day 1: The Journey Begins

My bags are packed, my bridge notes are in my purse, and Amadeus has food, water, a clean litter box, and directions for his babysitter. Julie will be here in a few minutes and our drive to Louisville for our first major tournament, the Spring NABC, will begin!

We have, of course, thoroughly discussed the schedule and consulted with more experienced tournament goers. While we lust after gold, a more immediate issue is our need to amass points. Therefore, instead of playing in open games where we could get gold but have little to no chance of placing, we will be playing in non-life master games where we have a (good?) chance of doing well but the awards are not gold.

So I have decided to wear gold instead--I have gold rings on my fingers, gold hoops in my ears, a gold band around my wrist, and a gold chain with gold trinkets hanging from my neck.

Julie is here...stayed tuned for an entry later today detailing our adventures on the road!

A side note to my non-bridge playing readers: Unfortunately, gold refers to the kind of points players receive, not to the precious metal. If the opposite were true, we would be playing in the open regardless of our chances!!